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What exactly is it?

For sale is this highly unusual and grotesque Martin Brothers reptile sitting on top of an upside down mushroom. Intricately constructed with a body hideous to behold, we have not seen another quite like this piece. The creature, with almost human like face, has a hand to its mouth like it is whistling, whilst its menacing double-taloned feet grip the underside of the mushroom. The body is contorted and detailed as if scaly, the texture brought out by blue against the otherwise pale cream colourway. The creature has a long tail, going down to the base of the mushroom stem and then curling around. The mushroom has long painted green strokes.

Which brother made it?

Likely to have been made by the brother most famed for grotesque, whimsical and macabre creations, Robert Wallace Martin.

Robert Wallace Martin Early Gentlemens’ Cigar Lamp

For sale is this incredibly rare Robert Wallace Martin Gentlemen’s cigar lamp. I have only ever seen this example from the Martin Brothers, so I am confident these are rarer than hen’s teeth.

Presenting as a central oil burner with wick, it has been fitted with finely worked white metal (a silver plate metal) of excellent quality. No wear to the metal to the base layer is evident and it polishes beautifully. Any dullness is a light tarnish that removes easily. Three identical “wands” rest in the protruding wand sections, and each wand and wand seat has matching numbers 1-3 for the wands to know their position.

The way the lamp worked was each of three gentlemen took a wand, and using papers from their vespa cases, would wedge the paper into their wand and be able to light their cigars from the comfort of their leather chair, whilst the lamp remained in the centre of the table. Lighting the cigar from a “clean” paper prevented the cigar’s flavour from being contaminated by the oil flame from the lamp.

Decorated with blue floral designs with a subtle green and blue banding between, the stems rise with a lovely natural green glaze to the silver tops. Set on three bulbous feet, with three layers of small shapes banding each foot, this delightful piece is quintessential late 1870s to early 1880s Martin Brothers! Whilst approximately 14.5cm tall and 9cm across, it is very solid and weighs 710g!

Beneath  the cigar lamp is the signature of Robert Wallace Martin (R.W. Martin), the figure “8” and then “Southall”.

This piece is in wonderful orginal condition that is ready to brace any serious collectors collection. Even better if you and the friends enjoy an occasional cigar, as it is a novelty that can be safely and robustly used without fear of damage as it is so well made.

A rare 1887 Doulton Lambeth stoneware vase designed by celebrated artist Eliza Simmance. Featuring rich cobalt blue glazes and hand-detailed floral work, this 18 cm piece is in flawless original condition. Complete with impressed factory and artist marks on the base.

Doulton Lambeth Hannah Barlow Lions Biscuit Barrel (c. 1890s)

A magnificent and exceptionally rare piece of late 19th-century British Art Pottery. This Doulton Lambeth biscuit barrel features an exquisite, 360-degree sgraffito study of a lion pride—depicting a majestic male lion, two lionesses, and a young male—incised directly into the clay by legendary artist Hannah Barlow. Complete with its beautiful original lid, it stands in pristine, untouched condition.

• Dimensions: 15 cm H × 13 cm W (base)

• Condition: Perfect, unrestored original condition

• Marks: Stamped Doulton Lambeth “cog” mark with “ENGLAND”, incised HB monogram, and factory pattern numbers

A superlative collector’s item representing the pinnacle of Hannah Barlow’s wild animal studies.

DM for pricing and availability!

A rare early c.1872 Doulton Lambeth stoneware pitcher by master artist George Tinworth. Handcrafted when Tinworth was just 29, it showcases his bold early seaweed scroll and raised beadwork design. Standing 26.5 cm tall, this historic piece features early base markings and signature. A superb addition for fine art pottery collectors!

For sale we have a stunning, large Doulton Lambeth bowl by artist Elizabeth Fisher, dating to 1882. The colours and designs both inside and out on this bowl are of the first order, with geometric shapes integrated into softer rounded shapes. The collour way is exquisite – we have rich blues in the centre of the designs, followed by light blue, yellow and then purple and pink to create a most striking bowl. The edge is rimmed with solid silver, made in Birmingham and is original to manufacture.

The Bowl is free from any chips, cracks or restoration. The silver rim is original. Beneath we have Eliza Fisher’s signature, together with the marks of the assistant and thrower, a code “327” and the Doulton Lambeth cog stamp with the date 1882.

For sale is a really well executed early Doulton Lambeth Ewer by renowned artist George Tinworth. A classical period shape emboldened by a vibrant blue and then adorned with Tinworth’s “Seaweed Scroll” design, framed to the top and bottom with a contrasting ribbed borders. The slender curved handle carries further scrollwork to its outer surface to bring further aesthetic to this wonderful piece of history.

To the main body, we have bold “GT” initials for George Tinworth. Beneath, we have the Doulton Lambeth stamp dating the ewer to 1879 with two other potter and assistant signatures. The Ewer is in outstanding original condition and will delight any serious early Doulton or Arts & Crafts collectors!

Antique Doulton Lambeth Jug by Florence Barlow, Dated 1874
An exceptional early work by a pioneering female artist of the Victorian ceramic movement

This distinguished Doulton Lambeth stoneware jug, dated 1874, is a rare and early example of the artistry of Florence Barlow, one of the most important female designers of the Doulton studio and sister to the renowned Hannah Barlow.

The jug features a finely detailed upper register adorned with seven sensitively modelled horse heads, each emerging from the clay in low relief and encircled above and below by delicate beaded borders. The rendering of the horses—marked by expressive line and form—is particularly notable, as Florence would soon transition to specializing exclusively in birds, leaving animal subjects like these to her sister, Hannah. This piece therefore captures a brief and significant phase in her artistic development.

The slender neck and lower body are decorated with stylized blue foliate sheaf motifs, set within zigzag and florette borders, creating an elegant interplay of texture and design across the jug’s surface. The decorative vocabulary is restrained yet dynamic, reflecting the sophisticated aesthetic typical of early Doulton Lambeth wares.

To the base, the jug bears the oval Doulton Lambeth impressed mark with the date 1874 to centre, alongside an early version of Florence Barlow’s personal monogram, confirming its authenticity and origin.

This piece stands as a rare and important example of early Doulton art pottery and of Florence Barlow’s formative work. It would make a significant addition to any collection of 19th-century British ceramics or women’s art pottery.

Dimensions: Height: 23cm ;  Width: 14cm
Condition: The jug has had an older restoration around the rim, where the blue rim border has been repainted. This has been done to a fair standard but due to the age of the repair, there is some age crackling to the restoration. Three florettes have nibbles or chips. Other than this, the vase is untouched.